The state government has appointed former BHP Billiton Ltd executive Brett Mattes as chairman of its Chemistry Centre, which has been reconstituted as a statutory authority.
This follows Mr Mattes' recent appointment as a member of the state government's Technology & Industry Advisory Council.
The changes at the chemistry centre include its planned relocation from East Perth to new facilities at Waterford, as part of Curtin University's Chemistry and Resources Precinct.
A state government announcement is pasted below:
New chapter for forensic agency
The next chapter in the history of Western Australia's top forensic science agency, the Chemistry Centre, begins today.
The centre is now a statutory authority, operating in an industry development and support role.
Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan said the move would increase the centre's flexibility in the way it conducted business and the services it provided to government and industry.
"The Chemistry Centre is the premier analytical chemistry facility in WA," Mr Logan said.
"It has an extensive history and has earned a reputation for delivering high quality analytical and applied collaborative research services to a diverse range of clients."
From today, the centre's chief executive officer would answer to a seven-member governing board chaired by former BHP Billiton executive Brett Mattes.
Mr Logan said the board was a multi-talented decision-making team that would offer strategic thinking on future business and community needs.
The centre has almost 100 staff, including many post-doctoral scientists, and more than 25 collaborative research projects.
Mr Logan said the centre would continue to provide forensic scientific services to the police and State Coroner.
It would also continue to act as an emergency response facility for incidents such as chemical spills, terrorism, food safety or export incidents and health or environmental concerns.
Mr Logan said the centre would also provide scientific information and advice relating to agriculture, the environment, natural resources and health to government agencies, industry and research groups.
